Edicion Limatadas, do you smoke them?

[Smallclub]

The problem with most ELS is that they taste very similar. Put some Upmann, RyJ, Trinidad, Hoyo ELs of a similar size in a blindfold test, and I guarantee no one will be able to name them…

Where is the Trinidad blend in a Ingenios? The maduro wrapper overwhelms most of the lighter blends…

[Maplepie]

Where is the Trinidad blend in a Ingenios? The maduro wrapper overwhelms most of the lighter blends…

x2. big shame as they're one of my favourite marcas mixed with my absolute favourite vitola.

damn shame.

[tmac77]

How are ELs considered a "program" and how are they so different from regular release cigars?

Now you have Ray on his soapbox LOL

[Smallclub]

How are ELs considered a "program" and how are they so different from regular release cigars?

http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/releases.aspx#Edition_Limitada_Series

[tmac77]

I get around the price issue to a certain extent buy buying my LE's almost exclusively while in Cuba. Will bring some of them back and the rest I leave in my cigar locker in Havana. they are a hit and miss though so I will always try a few singles before going deep on any particular LE. Having said that I went fairly deep on the following:

Cohiba 1966
Monte 2008

H. Upmann - Magnum 48

Montecristo - Grand Edmundo
Monte 520 2012

Punch - Serie D'Oro No. 2
Hoyo de Monterrey - Short Hoyo Pirámides

Ramón Allones - Allones Extra (these were a mistake... not liking them much )

H. Upmann - Robustos

Romeo y Julieta - De Luxe

[dvickery]

smoked a few boxes of d3's in '02 ... i liked them .

smoked a few d3's in '07 ... not as good as 02's but i got a box (as yet unopened) .

the noellas are good and i got 4 boxes of them in '10 ... but i dont think they are an el .

other than that ... nothing ... my reason for not buying was/is rg as much as anything .

derrek

[PigFish]

Love EL's and at one point my humidor was over 99% EL and regional releases...and still very high.

I smoke them predominantly, reverting to regular production now and again (Mostly Behike's and RoboT)

I really enjoy handing EL's out to my mates as most people just can't afford to smoke them.

Nothing like putting a smile in a good friends face with a Cohiba 1966, Monty Sublime, Partagas Gran Reserva etc

I smoke them ALL the time as everyday is a special occasion...save nothing for best...

LIFE-drive it like you stole it!

What I like about this post is that what you like, what one likes, is really all that matters. What Piggy likes, is rather important to Piggy, but in the grand scheme of things, not really of importance to anyone other than me.

Smoke what makes you happy, be happy smoking what you like… That is the best advice I can give. Follow your own nose!

I think it is pretty fair to say that anyone that loves CC has at least once, been sucked into the EL "thingy." I was too! I bought up a bunch of them in what '02-'03 when they started the movement and I too thought it was a great idea. I remember when the Party Serie (whatever) EL was first out and it was priced no different than a production cigar. If they were a size that I liked, then they were worth trying. Over time, I am speaking generally now, the price when up, the size went up, the quantity (per box) and the quality went down… A lot of you guys might not know of or remember the 'flame retardant Nomex' wrappers that they used to put on these things to try and make them look dark and rich…

A lot of these cigars are a joke! And then again, there are lot of folks who take 1 or 2 or 5, etc. out of the bunch and say that they are outstanding. Diversity makes the world go 'round…

Habanos has got to sell something, and if you want to support the EL program and in the same time smoke what you consider great cigars, have at it. You are their target market and they are certainly listening to you, and not me. If you follow me, you will be as unhappy (about the direction of the Cuban cigar) as I am, and have a rather voracious appetite for cigars that are no longer made… What I am saying here, is it is far better to be a trend follower, than one set in his ways before the trends changed!

Cheers! -Piggy

[earthson]

You know, I have heard some amazing things re: the Cohiba 1966 and am hoping to score one in the next few months

[StingMeadery]

You know, I have heard some amazing things re: the Cohiba 1966 and am hoping to score one in the next few months

Drop by for a smoke, will always hook a brother up

[StingMeadery]

What I like about this post is that what you like, what one likes, is really all that matters. What Piggy likes, is rather important to Piggy, but in the grand scheme of things, not really of importance to anyone other than me.

Smoke what makes you happy, be happy smoking what you like… That is the best advice I can give. Follow your own nose!

I think it is pretty fair to say that anyone that loves CC has at least once, been sucked into the EL "thingy." I was too! I bought up a bunch of them in what '02-'03 when they started the movement and I too thought it was a great idea. I remember when the Party Serie (whatever) EL was first out and it was priced no different than a production cigar. If they were a size that I liked, then they were worth trying. Over time, I am speaking generally now, the price when up, the size went up, the quantity (per box) and the quality went down… A lot of you guys might not know of or remember the 'flame retardant Nomex' wrappers that they used to put on these things to try and make them look dark and rich…

A lot of these cigars are a joke! And then again, there are lot of folks who take 1 or 2 or 5, etc. out of the bunch and say that they are outstanding. Diversity makes the world go 'round…

Habanos has got to sell something, and if you want to support the EL program and in the same time smoke what you consider great cigars, have at it. You are their target market and they are certainly listening to you, and not me. If you follow me, you will be as unhappy (about the direction of the Cuban cigar) as I am, and have a rather voracious appetite for cigars that are no longer made… What I am saying here, is it is far better to be a trend follower, than one set in his ways before the trends changed!

Cheers! -Piggy

All that really matters is "I like Piggy and Piggy might even like me"

Enjoy what u smoke and smoke what u enjoy. Share a smile wherever possible !

...and I'm happy to smoke your favourite sticks whenever we get together...as you educate me as to the ineffectitude of the EL programme, haha

At the end of the day there's no right or wrong, just friendship and Brotherhood in the Leaf...

[earthson]

Drop by for a smoke, will always hook a brother up

Brother, I would love to, but, unfortunately, I am currently across the Big Pond... had some friends live in New Zealand for a while and they LOVED it!

[cpmurrin]

I buy almost only regular production. I bought the hoyo short pyramids when they came out and thought they were horrible.

[Maplepie]

I buy almost only regular production. I bought the hoyo short pyramids when they came out and thought they were horrible.

try again! i only have one left despite how cheap they are...

they're actually quite good. quite good.

[Diamondog]

The problem with most ELS is that they taste very similar. Put some Upmann, RyJ, Trinidad, Hoyo ELs of a similar size in a blindfold test, and I guarantee no one will be able to name them

Where is the Trinidad blend in a Ingenios? The maduro wrapper overwhelms most of the lighter blends

Have you had a look at the FOH blind tasting results lol...not too many people can tell a whole lot about regular production blind either....id have to think id do well blind tasting els from mt list at least ive smoked quite a few and believe i could pick the profiles out...

[PigFish]

Have you had a look at the FOH blind tasting results lol...not too many people can tell a whole lot about regular production blind either....id have to think id do well blind tasting els from mt list at least ive smoked quite a few and believe i could pick the profiles out...

… and this takes us back full circle to what is branding and flavor profiling. A load of crap… MHO!

If it all boils down to little distinguishing about a line of cigars, and where I draw that line is more about vitola than branding, why spend the coin on an EL? The only answer that would satisfy me personally, would be superior smoking experience.

So if I were to rewrite the thread title and say, "Compared to regular production cigars, do EL's provide an overall better or worse smoking experience?" I would say worse. If I carry that further and quantify it, to value and ask, "How many good smoking experiences are you getting per unit of currency?" I would say less than regular production.

These answers, at least for me, put an oak stake in the heart of the EL program!!!

Cheers! -Piggy

[Maplepie]

These answers, at least for me, put an oak stake in the heart of the EL program!!!

i enjoy the wooden stake allusion

KILL the Vampire..... ...that sucks on the wallets of men.

[PigFish]

All that really matters is "I like Piggy and Piggy might even like me"

Enjoy what u smoke and smoke what u enjoy. Share a smile wherever possible !

...and I'm happy to smoke your favourite sticks whenever we get together...as you educate me as to the ineffectitude of the EL programme, haha

At the end of the day there's no right or wrong, just friendship and Brotherhood in the Leaf...

…those pink ears make me warm and fuzzy! -LOL

I love my FoH, brothers… with some notable exceptions!!! Cheers mate! -Ray

[PigFish]

i enjoy the wooden stake allusion

KILL the Vampire..... ...that sucks on the wallets of men.

… Brother Jeremy gets a gold star! -

[Maplepie]

… Brother Jeremy gets a gold star! -

Prepare to take it away...

As much as i detest anything over 50 ring gauge and LEs... i'll still buy a box of the Cohiba Robusto Supremos. why? because why not!? .

but honestly... i have no idea why i will get a box. i just know i will.

[cigaraholic]

I stayed away from EL's for many years because the man who was selecting my cigars said it was just marketing hype, stick to regular production cigars. But I'm a sucker for dark wrappers and I do love maduro cigars, which in my world I consider EL's. Used to get my dark wrapper fix from machine made cigars and when they dried up I went EL sniffing.

I think the first box I got was Ingenious, because I love the size and they were half the price they usually went for.

There seems to have been a window from 07-10 where EL production was very high and if you waited awhile you could get them at a good discount. Now that they've cut production the discounts are smaller and so is the window to get them when they're down. So I've cut way back on my EL shopping.

But I do enjoy them after dinner with a good coffee and some chocolate.

[Pedro2486]

I went on a misguided LE kick when I first started buying boxes. Mainly because of 10 ct boxes and my thinking they were "premium".

Big mistake

That money would've been much better spent on regular production.

Having said that, the HdM petit piramides and the Punch 2013 piramide are great, the punch especially is a cracker! Best LE in my opinion

[Smallclub]

… and this takes us back full circle to what is branding and flavor profiling. A load of crap… MHO!

The nationalization and the centralization (and the disparition of hundreds of marcas) occured in 1963. And the rationalisation of the cuban cigar industry started in 1980. Then, in the 1980's "branding" had already disappeared.

Why complain now about something that is more than 30 years old, and didn't prevent you to purchase and consume these cigars?

I am more inclined to admire the talent of Cuban blenders who have preserved the lines of taste despite these adverse conditions.

[SofaKing]

I have found I lean towards the LCDH smokes (like RA Superiores, HU Royal Robusto) more than EL's.

Similarly, I don't spend my hard earned coin on Behikes, Gran Reservas, etc. I get far too much joy out of a $10 or less CC that I just don't feel the need to spend three times that on others.

I am wise enough to know I might very well be missing something, but I can live with that.

I agree 100% word for word my opinion is the same. Only full box I purchased was the Hoyo Regalos and was disappointed over the course of 2 years and 17 or so sticks later.

[johndalton44]

I have only smoked some of he newer ELs. Boli 09, RA Extra, HdM Short Hoyo, partagas Serie C, and HdM Grand Epicure. Obviously that leaves out quite a few Cohibas that appear on other lists here.

Out of all the ones I've had, the one that I think warrants a little extra money is the Short Hoyo. Got a box of that, it's tasty and hopefully will get even better. Others were very good cigars, but I just don't know how much can be made up in flavor when the dollar values are on opposite ends of the pricing spectrum compared to regular production. Obviously if you've got money to burn and enjoy them, by all means.

But for example, I found the Bolivar 09 to taste like an aged BBF. Nothing too special as I recall.

I find the RE program and the LCDH exclusives to have more stuff up my alley when I want to spend more. The PL Picadores have me fully piqued.

I guess if you have the coin, ELs can be fun to experiment with or go deep, depending.

But I'd rather have a few boxes of a bunch of different sticks than one box of a few different sticks personally (and I'm already terrible with my alleged "budget") so I have to make choices.

[PigFish]

The nationalization and the centralization (and the disparition of hundreds of marcas) occured in 1963. And the rationalisation of the cuban cigar industry started in 1980. Then, in the 1980's "branding" had already disappeared.

Why complain now about something that is more than 30 years old, and didn't prevent you to purchase and consume these cigars?

I am more inclined to admire the talent of Cuban blenders who have preserved the lines of taste despite these adverse conditions.

Because:

I am not chattel property of the Cuban state, therefore I can!

This is a Cuban cigar forum and it is within the realm of the topics at hand!

It is the truth!

I understand the 'divine nature' in seeing things half full rather than half empty. Seeing things half full does not solve the problem. While seeing them half empty may not either, I at least get a chance at an honest evaluation, AND, therefore a possible solution based on understanding.

History is not to be ignored… Ignorance is not bliss…. MHO…

In real life (perhaps everywhere except Isla Cuba) ignoring the problem does not solve it. Repeating mistakes leads to further mistakes.

God bless the rollers, it is not their fault. It is the Cuban government's fault, they own the country, the people, the tobacco and everything else there. They own the problems too, regardless of how many decades it took to make them or how many decades it has been since they made them…

Why I have bought Cuban cigars is posted almost daily on this site. Reasons that I won't buy some of them should be fair to write about as well. I will therefore continue to post both opinions, as well as many others, whenever I wish.

Thanks for asking. -the Pig